Border Patrol Agent Fatally Shoots Suspected Immigrant

POSTED: 5:28 am PDT May 31, 2007
UPDATED: 6:45 am PDT May 31, 2007

HIDDEN MEADOWS, Calif. -- A U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a suspected illegal immigrant smuggler in an unincorporated North County region, authorities said Thursday.

The shooting occurred about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday near Mountain Meadow Road and Champagne Boulevard, when Border Patrol agents pulled over a suspected illegal immigrant behind the wheel of a vehicle occupied by 12 other alleged undocumented aliens, according to Border Patrol and San Diego County Sheriff's Department officials.

When an agent approached the vehicle to ask for identification documents, "the driver got a bit upset and went for the agent's gun," prompting the agent to open fire, killing the suspect, said Border Patrol information officer Wendy Lee.

No Border Patrol agents were injured during the incident, authorities said.

The shooting is being investigated by sheriff's homicide detectives, said sheriff's Lt. Sylvester Washington.

No further information on the shooting was immediately released.

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